Members bolting PDP-Laban? 'Necessary consequence' of recent developments, says Umali

Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali on Friday expressed no surprise over reports that some members of the ruling PDP-Laban are planning to jump ship to a new regional party formed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Umali said such is the "necessary consequence" of the "recent developments" at the House of Representatives.

He was referring to the election of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, replacing Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP-Laban's secretary general, and the confusion it caused among lawmakers.

"Ako as a veteran politician I can almost presume, I can almost surmise na 'yun talaga magiging direksiyon niyan," he said.

On Thursday, Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya, a PDP stalwart, said several lawmakers belonging to PDP-Laban are considering transferring to Sara Duterte's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

He said that what may make the lawmakers from his party jump ship is the "mass disenchantment" they feel after PDP-Laban expanded across the country.

Umali said Alvarez's removal from the Speaker post will sure have effects to the party.

"Definitely may epekto ito pero hanggang saan malalalaman natin 'yan in the next few days or weeks," he said. —KBK, GMA News